Radical laundry reduction

angchris

katyk wrote: »

Thanks Angchris
Does your 'recipe' tend to cause problems for those with sensitive skins? I can have a few problems that way?

we are all fine with this powder but then i`ve never had any problems with sensitive skin.
you could try using a mild soap like a baby soap or something like dove, as far as i know the washing soda is just a water softener and the borax a natural cleaner and i would imagine that both are in all brands of washing powder anyway.
give it a go, if you find you dont get on with it you can always use it up by throwing a few tablespoons in a bucket and mopping the floor with it. i always use it to clean my floors and they come up gleaming.

squiggles

Another once only PJs wearer here and never heard of wearing underwear for bed under PJs.

jet_black_3

I am terrible with laundry, on an average week I do about 18 loads of washing! There are 5 of us in our house and I drive everyone else mad (I have mild OCD) bedclothes are washed every week, we all wear a complete set of clean clothes everyday.

helsmadhouse

pebbles88 wrote: »

I think you may be able to get one in Wilkinsons (shop we have down here but i dont know if they are regional) failing that i think Lakeland may do them???
HTH
Laura

Wilko sell borax, soda crystals (also available in supermarkets) and liquid soda crystals, bicarb soda . Bout 80p box. They also sell tea tree/lavender essential oils v cheap (i add these to rinse drawer.)

destiny_star2006

jet_black wrote: »

I am terrible with laundry, on an average week I do about 18 loads of washing! There are 5 of us in our house and I drive everyone else mad (I have mild OCD) bedclothes are washed every week, we all wear a complete set of clean clothes everyday.

Surely to save money os couldnt you wear clothes every 2 days then wash them and pjs everyother night sounds like a lot of washing and you only have 1 more person living with you than i do lmao i do about 8 loads a week if im lucky

helsmadhouse

pigpen wrote: »

try this one..

A large tub capable of holding about 4 litres and with a good fitting lid (or a few smaller tubs)
A 5 litre stock pot or any old pan.
1 bar unscented white soap - something like Simple or a supermarket own brand sensitive soap
1 cup (250mls) washing soda crystals
4 litres water
About 20 drops of a suitable essential oil. I use tea tree, lavender or chamomile but any oils safe for children will be fine

Grate the soap boil the water.. add the soda crystals and soap stir until it is all dissolved put in the oils.. leave overnight to cool.. I pour off some excess water but others stir it in.. either way it makes no difference.

decant to storage tubs and #iuse about a tea cup full for a wash.

Put it into the drum rather than the drawer though as it is thick it has been known to block the pipework!

It is great for most stuff but not so good for getting whites really white.

fine for babies and sensitive skin... providing you use a soap that doesn't irritate. I've used tescos own soap.. johnsons baby soap.. allsorts!

I'd not use borax on my skin and definitely not the childrens.

Borax is a harmless mineral, the stuff they put in commercial washing powder is far worse for your skin (i now have ecezma, i worked in laboratories for years testing the chemicals that go into detergents) I like your recipe for washing powder, will try it if have time. Add a bit of ecover laundry bleach to you whites and try hanging out whenever poss. Ecover is natural, and has never caused a reaction in any of my families skin. (Its also good for cleaning the toilet, converts to hydrogen peroxide which is a natural disenfectant!! - costs no more than a bottle of bleach). Thanks again for recipe

angchris

ceridwen wrote: »

Hi angchris

Know about this one - but havent tried it yet. Currently having a go at soapnuts - which seem to be working fine (and lovely soft sheets).

Cant use soapnuts for handwashing clothes though. As I handwash all clothes except my socks/knickers - then would your "detergent" work for that?

i`ve never handwashed in the powder mainly due to the fact that im too darned lazy :rotfl: the powder should be fine to handwash in but as you have slivers of grated soap in the mixture i would be tempted to put a few tablespoons in some hot water and leave the soap to dissolve for a few minutes first, wait till its a temperature you feel comfortable handwashing in and when you come back to it give the water a good swoosh around to mix it up before starting to handwash.

ceridwen

Thanks for that. In the spirit of simplifying I was thinking today about this "recipe" and thinking - "bet I could use that for detergent and handwashing and general purpose cleaner - hmm - wonder if it would do for washing-up liquid as well?".

Right now - I am thinking it would be ideal if I could use no more than 3 things for cleaning house purposes and ditto no more than 3 things for moisturising myself purposes (have got as far with that as thinking maybe olive oil and vaseline between that would do for everything - perhaps the oil for body lotion and hair conditioner and Vaseline for everything else?).

angchris

ceridwen wrote: »

Thanks for that. In the spirit of simplifying I was thinking today about this "recipe" and thinking - "bet I could use that for detergent and handwashing and general purpose cleaner - hmm - wonder if it would do for washing-up liquid as well?".

Right now - I am thinking it would be ideal if I could use no more than 3 things for cleaning house purposes and ditto no more than 3 things for moisturising myself purposes (have got as far with that as thinking maybe olive oil and vaseline between that would do for everything - perhaps the oil for body lotion and hair conditioner and Vaseline for everything else?).

now theres a thought! i wonder if it will do as washing up liquid hmmm :think: never thought to use it like that dohhh that would save me another couple of quid a month as ds squirts wul for england :mad:
i tell you what...i have a pile of tea dishes languishing in my sink, i will go and conduct my very own experiment and report back later

CravingSaving

purpleivy wrote: »

I ALWAYs wear an apron when cooking or doing other household chores. I started when I was pregnant and the bump attracted dirt and I had limited wardrobe.

:rotfl: Ahha, so thats when kids start getting dirty! Sure, it just gets worse once they are actually born!!:rotfl: